Hayden tops Republican campaign-funding list CAMPAIGN 1994

August 18, 1994|By Larry Carson | Larry Carson,Sun Staff Writer

Incumbent Republican Roger B. Hayden has raised more campaign money -- $658,842 -- than any other Baltimore County executive candidate but he has only $160,910 left, less than two major Democratic rivals.

Campaign financing reports filed this week also show that County Councilman Melvin G. Mintz of Pikesville technically has raised more than any other Democrat -- $414,000 overall -- but got $160,000 of that from himself and close family members as loans.

He reported having $254,094 on hand, more than any other executive candidate.

One of his Democratic opponent, County Councilman Charles A. Dutch Ruppersberger III of Cockeysville, reported raising $404,349 and has $184,801 left. However, Bob Barrett, his campaign manager, said more money has come in since the Aug. 9 reporting cutoff date.

Another Democrat, John C. Coolahan, a former state senator and District Court judge, reported raising $26,125 for his campaign -- less than several County Council candidates. He has $15,449 left.

The fourth Democratic candidate, Kevin Pearl did not file a separate finance report. He is among 55 supporters of political maverick Lyndon Larouche running for office statewide this year and said his group reported only their joint finances.

Republican Donald Brewer, a former county worker running against Mr. Hayden in the Republican primary, reported raising $5,765, including $2,850 in contributions from his daughter, Shonda, and her husband, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Curt Schilling. Mr. Brewer reported having $1,673 left.

The other Republican candidate, George Egbert of Middle River, had not submitted a campaign finance report by yesterday. Reports were due Tuesday.

This year's campaigns are funded at a lower level than the record $1.1 million raised and spent in 1990 by former County Executive Dennis F. Rasmussen.

Despite the money, no opposition in the primary, and a Republican opponent (Mr. Hayden) who raised only $130,000, Mr. Rasmussen lost his bid for re-election.

Mr. Mintz said his heavy loans to his own campaign came early to enable him to plan and budget.

"It allowed me not to have to solicit as many outside contributions," he said.

Most of his remaining money is budgeted for television and newspaper advertising, he said.

He lent his campaign $95,000 in 1993, another $50,000 in April and $7,000 in May. The other $12,000 in loans were from his brother and sister-in-law, he said. He said savings, investments and income from his physical therapy practice and his wife's health consulting business helped bankroll his campaign.

Most other contributions were from interests in his Pikesville-Randallstown constituency.

Mr. Ruppersberger raised slightly more than half his money -- $209,807 -- since November 1993 and spent $158,953 in the same period. His television advertising began this week, so the heavy expenses associated with that won't show up until the next report, due 11 days before the primary Sept. 13.

Two political action committees from the county firefighters union gave Mr. Ruppersberger $7,700, and he received contributions from lawyers, restaurants, trash haulers, car dealers, builders and developers.

Some large contributors gave to both Mr. Hayden and Mr. Ruppersberger, who is seen as the leading Democratic candidate.

Several county trash haulers also did that, as did the Frankel Cadillac dealership.

Mr. Hayden benefited heavily from private trash haulers. He got more than $26,000 from haulers, including $4,000 from Clay Stambough Refuse Service, which also gave $2,500 to Mr. Ruppersberger.